Chapter 766: Secrets of the Old Research Institute
by xennovelBack at the old site of the Research Institute…
While Doctor An’s calm narration filled the air, Lu Xin couldn’t shake the feeling that hidden tensions lay beneath her words.
The old premises of the Moon Eclipse Research Institute…
Originally known as the Red Moon Research Institute, it was only after relocating to Central City that it was renamed the Moon Eclipse Research Institute. Its mission had always been transparent—to counteract the disaster unleashed by the red moon in the sky. In that sense, the old site represents its predecessor, the true Red Moon Research Institute.
Is that where it all began?
What dangers and mysteries might await those who dare to explore it?
Yet the lure of uncovering the original secret was incredibly tempting…
……
……
As Lu Xin fell silent, not hurrying to respond, Doctor An paused briefly before smiling and saying:
“Of course, we must recognize that inviting someone in requires a genuine display of sincerity.”
“Before coming to Qinggang to speak with you, I had already secured permission from the Research Institute. Thanks to their approval, I can now share these secrets—and our sincerity goes far beyond these revelations.”
“……”
As she spoke, a subtle ease spread over her face. “First, there’s the mission in Flame City. Our junior investigator Xia Chong immediately reported back after its completion. She mentioned that because the situation was urgent, she had to hire you on the spot to help—and she promised a reward…”
“…One hundred million!”
“……”
A note of caution flashed across Lu Xin’s face as he looked up at Doctor An.
Doctor An laughed lightly. “According to the report, the situation was indeed critical then, but Xia Chong never promised a hundred-million-level privilege.”
“Besides, the Flame City mission had already been taken over by the mercenary group led by Dracula…”
“……”
“Swish…”
Lu Xin’s expression hardened as his pupils contracted slightly.
“But our Research Institute isn’t in the habit of letting work go unpaid…”
Meeting Lu Xin’s gaze, Doctor An suddenly laughed:
“Xia Chong is a diligent, responsible girl with dreams of saving the world. How could we possibly let such a girl down?”
“Nothing is more shameful than crushing a little girl’s dreams.”
“So I didn’t hesitate to let loose some harsh words, insisting that the Institute pay a hundred million in reward…”
“……”
Lu Xin’s expression softened noticeably.
His lips moved as if he wanted to offer a kind word to Doctor An.
“Of course, one hundred million is far from enough…”
Doctor An suddenly added, making Lu Xin’s heart skip a beat.
Her face turned serious; the flirtatious smile had vanished, replaced by an expression tinged with endearing greed:
“That hundred million is merely the commission for the Flame City incident—it has nothing to do with our current business.”
“So I submitted another request to the Research Institute and secured an even greater privilege…”
After a pause, she said gravely, “A special advisor is being hired with a reward of two hundred million.”
“Hm?”
Lu Xin couldn’t help but be stunned, his hand trembling slightly.
Two hundred million?
As in, two hundred million—with eight zeros following?
His heart pounded nervously, almost out of control.
He could tell that Doctor An was joking a bit—and that she did desperately need his help. Her light tone was intentional, despite the fact that he should be in control in this seller’s market.
Yet, just hearing the prospect of two hundred million made Lu Xin uneasy.
He no longer cared about having the upper hand; all he really wanted was that two hundred million…
……
……
“Heh, has the Institute really sunk so low as to use money as bait?”
Just as Lu Xin’s thoughts began to settle and he was about to agree, a laugh broke out behind him.
From inside the room, Mom—apparently having just changed her outfit—elegantly stepped out.
She was dressed in a white gown with an unusually large hat.
Exuding a mysterious charm, even the room’s lights flickered slightly as she emerged.
Gracefully, she approached Lu Xin and Doctor An, her tone mocking: “Just two hundred million…”
“You really think we’d settle for that?”
“……”
“This…”
Lu Xin paused, silently thinking, “We would…”
But he held his tongue, knowing that Mom must have her reasons.
Stay calm—even in a seller’s market, you can’t rush to sell yourself, no matter how tempting two hundred million is…
Two hundred million indeed…
……
……
“Two hundred million isn’t a small sum…”
Doctor An shook her head helplessly, not at all surprised that Mom would step in to object.
With a polite, patient smile, she asked Mom, “What sort of reward would satisfy you all?”
“Money isn’t our concern.”
Mom smiled softly and replied, “The Institute should offer something of real value.”
Doctor An paused, “Me?”
“……”
Mom was briefly taken aback, then, without sparing any grace, shook her head: “Your value isn’t that high…”
Doctor An’s face darkened as she replied coldly, “Then what is it that you want?”
Mom said nothing, her gaze drifting to the night outside.
Outside, only the night wind stirred. Although Doctor An’s words evoked vivid images, those in Qinggang knew that her conversation with Lu Xin must be crucial—so much so that even the soldiers usually stationed nearby had been withdrawn.
Around Lu Xin’s tent, within a hundred meters, only the heavy cloak of night remained, along with his father lurking in the shadows…
A dark, shifting shadow swirled around the base, sneering at everything in sight.
Both within and outside the base, sinister mysterious creatures trembled in fear.
Suddenly, Doctor An’s expression hardened.
“This is unacceptable!”
She declared sharply, leaving no room for doubt.
“It must be acceptable!”
Mom met her gaze squarely, unyielding.
Doctor An furrowed her brow in frustration, “Even if it benefits everyone, why take advantage of the chaos?”
“Because none of you have the power to fix everything.”
Mom whispered, “If you can’t fix it all, then why cling to it so tightly?”
Doctor An fell silent, simply watching Mom.
Their eyes locked in a silent battle—a war waged without words.
Eventually, Doctor An conceded. She understood that she lacked the upper hand.
With a lazy air, she popped a red soft candy into her mouth. After a brief pause, she slowly stood up.
Removing her frameless glasses, as if she no longer wanted to see Mom, she turned to Lu Xin and said, “This issue is too serious. I can’t make any promises now—I need some time to consult with the Institute.”
With that, she left the tent.
Her retreating figure trembled ever so slightly, as though shivering with anger.
Lu Xin looked at Mom in confusion, only to see a victorious smile spread across her face.
“What did you ask her for?”
“……”
Mom let out a quiet sigh, a mysterious smile playing on her lips as she replied, “It’s something that belongs to our family.”
“Belongs to our family?”
Lu Xin paused, suddenly noticing that the sound of wind outside the tent had ceased.
In the pitch black, an unseen force was watching intently.
Lu Xin snapped to attention, his face and inner thoughts a mix of shock: “It’s Father’s…”
“Yes.”
Mom nodded slightly, “His authority and his honor…”
“It’s time we reclaimed them.”
“Because now what we need isn’t a timid cook…”
“But rather…”
“……”
Outside the tent, deep in the darkness, a presence concealed in the shadows trembled uncontrollably, on high alert.
“Fine, I agree.”
At that moment, the tent’s curtain was abruptly pulled aside, and Doctor An reappeared faster than expected.
Her expression showed a hint of resignation, mixed with the decisiveness and relief that come from making a tough decision.
She donned her glasses once more, fixed her gaze on Mom, and said, “We can return your belongings, but there are conditions.”
Lu Xin tensed as he watched her serious demeanor.
Mom smiled warmly and nodded, “Go ahead.”
“First, I will only offer you guidance.”
Doctor An explained, “You must go and retrieve it yourselves. Whether you can get it back—and how much you can retrieve—is entirely up to you.”
Mom, seemingly unsurprised, smiled and said, “Alright.”
“Second…”
Doctor An continued, “You’ll have a maximum of three days. I’ll wait for you at the base, and after three days, we all set off together.”
Mom nodded with a smile, “That will do.”
Doctor An sighed gently, “Third…”
“If possible, avoid all-out conflict. Leave each other some room to maneuver…”
“This world can’t endure the loss of another ultimate.”
“……”
Listening, Mom couldn’t help but offer a mysterious, satisfied smile and whispered, “I’ll do my best!”
Doctor An let out a soft sigh, then moved closer to Mom and whispered something in her ear.
Lu Xin suddenly tensed, sensing that the two women had discussed something of critical importance.
Meanwhile, outside the tent—now that an agreement had been reached inside—the dark shadow began to thrash wildly, and even the wasteland quivered under the chilling wind. Under the Red Moon, Father’s towering shadow knelt and burst into loud laughter:
“Hahahahahaha…”